JEEUSALEM – Thousands protested along the Gaza Strip’s border with Israelin a fourth straight Friday of mass demonstrations and clashes, with fourPalestinians shot dead by Israeli forces.

Gazans also flew dozens of kites near the border fence, in some casescarrying Molotov cocktails and one with a swastika painted on it, in a newtactic that sparked at least two small fires in Israeli territory this week.

Israeli army gunfire killed a 15-year-old boy and two young men, aged 24and 25, in northern Gaza, rescue workers said, and a 29-year-oldPalestinian was shot dead in the south of the coastal enclave.

The latest deaths brought to 38 the toll of those killed by Israeli forcessince March 30, with hundreds of others also wounded by gunfire, accordingto Gaza’s health ministry.

On Friday alone, 440 protesters were wounded by gunfire or needed treatmentfor tear gas inhalation, the ministry said.

Israel says it has only opened fire when necessary to guard its border andprevent violence, but no Israelis have been wounded and its open-fire ruleshave come under scrutiny.

With the protests seen by Israel as posing a challenge to its securityforces, military aircraft dropped leaflets in the border area early Fridaywarning against approaching the fence.

Referring to the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, the leafletsaid: “You are participating in violent riots. The Hamas terrororganisation is taking advantage of you in order to carry out terrorattacks.”

It added: “Stay away from the fence and do not attempt to harm it; avoidusing weapons and committing violent acts against Israeli security forcesand Israeli citizens.”

The number of protesters on Friday was lower than the previous three weeks,but still in the thousands.

Both Palestinians killed were shot east of Jabaliya in the north of theGaza Strip, the health ministry said.

Among the thousands gathered to protest, at least hundreds were approachingthe fence and throwing stones and burning tyres, an AFP correspondent said.

Israeli forces were using tear gas in addition to live fire.

Israel’s military said some 3,000 Palestinians were involved in “riots,attempting to approach the security infrastructures, burning tyres adjacentto it and attempting to fly kites with burning items attached”.

“Several kites crossed into Israel and were extinguished when required.”

It said in the statement that “troops are responding with riot dispersalmeans and are firing in accordance with the rules of engagement.”

Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said while touring the Israeli side ofthe border on Friday: “The thing that the other side must understand isthat there is a determined and skilled army here.”

He added that “behind it stands a determined people that is backing up thearmy.”

– ‘No place for you’ –

Tens of thousands have gathered on previous Fridays as part of the protestsnear the border. The protests are meant to last six weeks, but peak onFridays.

A smaller number have approached the fence and thrown stones or rolledburning tyres toward Israeli soldiers on the other side.

Israel says firebombs and explosive devices have also been used.

Israel has pledged to stop damage to the fence, infiltrations and attacks,and alleges there have been attempts at all three.

It accuses Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars since 2008, of usingthe protests as cover to carry out violence.

Palestinians say protesters are being shot while posing no threat tosoldiers.

The European Union and UN chief Antonio Guterres have called for anindependent investigation into the deaths, but Israel has rejected it.

The protests are calling for Palestinian refugees to be allowed to returnto their former lands now inside Israel.

More than 700,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled during the 1948 warsurrounding the creation of Israel.

Israelis say allowing the so-called right of return would mean the Jewishstate’s destruction.

Protest organisers officially labelled the latest protest in support of”martyrs and prisoners,” but on social media some Palestinians dubbed itthe “Friday of Kites.”

Gazans pinned notes to some of the kites telling Israelis “there is noplace for you in Palestine.” – APP /AFP